High Turnout Possible For Primary Election

South Dakota Secretary of State Jason Gant predicts an above average turnout of about 50 percent. He expects about 40 percent of Republicans and 20 percent of Democrats to vote.

Minnehaha County Auditor Bob Litz says voter turnout can vary, but absentee voting has seen an increase leading up to the primary.

"I have looked back at 2006 and 2008, 2010 and 2012 and they are all over the place so I wouldn't want to hazard a guess," Litz said. "First we thought it was going to be low because our absentee numbers were dragging. But last week and this week they have been non-stop, so it's ramping up. And that coincides with the release of a lot of political advertising."

Only 21 percent of voters cast their vote in the primary two years ago. The Secretary of State's office has taken steps to help voters preview their ballots and find their polling places through online and mobile resources.

Minnehaha County Auditor Bob Litz says Asbury United Methodist Church has seen a large number of voter turnout in the past. Typically voter turnout can be anywhere between 11 to 18 percent. Litz says it can vary depending upon the location.

“I have some precincts out there that might be 50 percent and I have some out there that might be three or four percent, you never know," Minnehaha County Auditor Bob Litz said. "And then you go back four years later, there might be an issue where a candidate excites voters and the numbers could be flipped. But there are some numbers like Asbury United Methodist. They seem to consistently have a high turnout, as high as 53 percent in a primary."

Bob Litz also says he has seen an increase in the absentee ballots that has lead up to the primary election. Absentee voting ended Monday.